CRUSH IT!

CRUSH IT! Why Now Is The Time To Cash In On Your Passion
Gary Vaynerchuk

This is the book i was assigned to read for english. Its about making a name for yourself, doing what you love, by using new trends such as social networking rather than older ones such as the newspaper. I am putting this up because i am planning to use my blog in a powerpoint i am planning to present, and want my blog to match my powerpoint on the book.

Disappointing

You know what is disappointing? Not being able to read book that you've been waiting to forever. The thing with taking hard classes, is that you no longer have time yourself anymore. I feel I have lost my love for reading and it really saddens me just because i love to read, and i can't do what i love anymore. The last book I read what one of the history of a Greek God, It was very uninteresting and not bloggable. Im sorry for anyone who happens to still follow this blog .

Today is THE day

Can you finally realized that today it's here! The book many of us have been waiting for a year plus some. Suzanne Collins' Mockingjay is out today! I am so excited to get my hands on one, and when i do, there will surely be a post on it. So look out for that. If you have no idea what i am talking about, go out and get yourself a copy of the Hunger Games, and soon enough you will be sucked into the great danger world of it all.

Sweethearts

Sweethearts
By Sara Zarr

As children, Jennifer Harris and Cameron Quick were both social outcasts. They were also each other's only friend. So when Cameron disappeared without warning, Jennifer thought she'd lost the one person who would ever understand her. Now in high school, Jennifer has been transformed. Known as Jenna, she is popular, happy, and dating---everything "Jennifer" couldn't be. But she still can't shake the memory of her long-lost friend. 


When Cameron suddenly reappears, they both are confronted with memories of their shared past and the drastically different paths their lives have taken. 


So, first of all I have been busy so I haven't posted in a while. I just had my first chance to read a book that I chose voluntarily today. Also I was just reminded that I should post a post. Sorry. High School is hectic with homework and such. (I know it's summer)

So this book, started out fine, but for me started off a bit slow for my liking. It kind of dragged its feet and it just seem unnecesary, like the story could have been more interesting with more events in it. Don't get me wrong, it was a sweet story to start out with, but the ending was just sucky. I mean I picked up this book expect- no wanting- the predictable ending, and i spend all my time ( a whole two hours!!! haha) reading this, just to get dissappointed in the end. It wasn't even a good, shocking ending, it was just flat.

And with the Ethan character (Jennifer's boyfriend), he just bothered me. I mean, sure you have the right to be a bit jealous because a new guy who has a history with your girl comes into the  picture, but don't be a jackhole to your girlfriend who didn't do anything wrong (my opinion, also a girl's opinion).

So, this book is good book, but it lacks in some areas i think and could have been made more dynamite with a few changes of the plot, but then again, I didn't write the story. If you see this book in the library, sure pick it up and read it, but it not one I would spend my money on at a bookstore.

The Festival of Books

I just recently visited the festival of books at UCLA this weekend. It was pretty cool. There were hundreds of booths about books, and they even had interviews with authors. I waited in line for an half hour (only that!) to get an my copy of Will Grayson Will Grayson signed by John Green (one of my top five favorite authors) and David Levithan (author of Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist). I got a signed copy of Meg Cabot's Runway from her Airhead series, and visit my neighbor D.R. Whitney at her booth for her book The Last Princess and The Cup Of Immortality. I got a cool shirt for Little Angry Girls that say "I'm looking for your reputation" and has a girl searching through trash on it. There were plenty of free books that were handed out, and entertainment everywhere. It was certainly an enjoyable afternoon with my family, and i would recommend everyone to go visit it next year. I plan to take my friends next year.

Perfect Chemistry

Perfect Chemistry

Simone Elkeles

At Fairfield High School, on the outskirts of Chicago, everyone knows that south siders and north siders aren't exactly compatible elements. So when head cheerleader Brittany Ellis and gang member Alex Fuentes are forced to be lab partners in chemistry class, the results are bound to be explosive. But neither teen is prepared for the most surprising chemical reaction of all - love. Can then break through the stereotypes and misconceptions that threaten to keep them apart?

Now this was like a west side story sort of book, which i love completely and entirely. I loved how Brittany had a soft spot, and that was her disabled sister. She defended her entirely, and that separated her from all the populars and superficial people of her school. She tried to be extra perfect to make up for her sister. Alex was the similar in the way how he was against his family, brothers to be exact, from becoming gang members, and to stop this he himself overcompensates by himself being a gangster. (haha gangster... sorry>) 

The romantic love hate story is one that has been told time after time, and it still gets me to a point where i want my own romantic heartbreak. Well, almost. 

I'd recommend this book for any one who loves a good love story. 

Leviathan

Leviathan
By Scott Westerfeld

It is the cusp of World War I, and all the European powers are arming up. The Austro-Hungarians and Germans have their Clankers, steam driven iron machines loaded with guns and ammunition. The British Darwinist employ fabricated animals as their weaponry. Their Leviathan is a whale airship, and the most masterful beast in the Britsh fleet.
Aleksandar Ferdinand, prince of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, is on the run. his own people have turned on him. His title is worthless. All he has is a battle-torn Stormwalker and a loyal crew of men.
Deryn Sharp is a commoner, a girl disguised as a boy in the British Air Service. She's a brilliant airman. But her secret is in constant danger of being discovered.
With the Great War brewing, Alek's and Deryn's paths cross in the most unexpected way... taking them both aboard the Leviathan on a fantastical around-the-world adventure. One that will change both their lives forever.

I first picked up this book because I am a huge fan of Scott Westerfeld. Secondly the little video they had to advertise this book had a saying. "Do you oil your war machines, or do you feed them?" I found this extremely interesting. Thirdly, the book has pictures and brings me back a few years to a time when all words and no pictures was so horrible and hard. And lastly, it didn't hurt that i got it half price.

Now i must say up front that the build up for this book may have been slightly greater than the actual book. But don't get me wrong. I really liked the book. It interested me and it's cool idea was so great, i wish i had thought of it.

Something that surprised me was the way that they spoke. I mean you'd think that if the description said "World War I" I'd have thought it was going to be set in the past, but no i was expecting it to be in today's time, and boy was i wrong. There are so many ay's, lads, and interesting cuss words, I almost thought I'd automatically start speaking in such a way also. Its not a bad thing, again, but it is something different.

Now I was expecting this to be a one book deal, but apparently it is a series. This surprised me. This book 400+ pages and it only reaches a point to where Deryn and Alek's journey together just begins.

I would recommend this book for anyone who likes adventure, pictures (which means everyone), and something different. I am glad I read this book, and keep on getting impressed by Mr. Westerfeld.

Did I ever?

Did i ever post my story i wrote? i don't think i did so here it is. Feel free to review it. Jourdan Dorrell

U.S. History D bloc
March 30 2009
Jacob Lawrence Paintings “Harriet and the Promise Land”
Through the Forest
Away into the Night
“Please, no, I just don’t feel good. I only was going to rest for a few seconds.” I say in complete desperation. I was standing with my head down, because I had been caught sitting in the cotton fields, taking a break from picking the cotton bolls. Farming cotton was hard and tedious work, and to add onto that, my allergies were acting up. “Now, if I let everyone just rest, Master Covington, would be out of business, because a better plantation would have better slaves working, and more to sell.” Mr. Jones says with complete venom. I blinked twice as he brought his worn leather whip over his shoulder, towards me. I stepped to the side, causing the weapon to slice my shoulder, instead of my chest. “Oh you shouldn’t have done that!” he said with an anger in his voice, that told me he was dangerous. He brought the whip down onto my back as I collapsed on the dirt ground. He brought the whip down again and again, cutting deep wounds in my back… If I could I have looked up, I would have seen him smile. Suddenly, I am overwhelmed with the feel of unmistakable shaking.
I open my eyes, and see a pair looking back into mind. After a few seconds, the blur of sleep leaves my vision. “Are you alright?” Harriett asks me. I lift my head a few inches and taking in my surroundings. Low ceilings, rotting wood floors and walls, and the slight dim light leaking in through cracks telling me it was early morning. I rest my head back upon my bed, which was only an old sheet folded in half. I was not in the fields, I was in the slave quarters. “I’m fine now, just a bad dream.” I reply with a wince. Any slight movement brought pain to my back. I had slept to see a bad dream, but the experience was real. Laying on my stomach, the cuts on my back were still fresh from yesterday. Harriett noticed. “Sorry to wake you honey, I couldn’t handle the scared look on your face, figured you were having a nightmare.” “I’m okay, thanks for watching over me.” Since the incident yesterday, she had been tending my wounds, trying to prevent as much as she could from getting infected. “Penelope, we have to stick together. You know that, as much as I do.”
I had just been bought by Master Covington when he came to Mississippi shop for slaves from his plantation in South Carolina, from Master Brown a few months ago. That day was the worst day of my life, My mama, my papa, Sarah, Delilah, and Jeremiah, my siblings, were all separated from me. Luckily enough, Harriett, another slave just a few years older than my fifteen, took me in and made me feel as at home as a slave can. Slavery is what I know, and all I know. I was born in the rotten cabin in a women’s quarter, in Mississippi. I have been working a minimum fourteen hour day since I was seven. I have been a slave all my life, but never had to bear such a flogging until now. “I know.”
“I have good news.” Harriett whispers to me in an urgent voice. “Tonight, we’re going. A conductor from the Underground Railroad is meeting us at the abandoned house a few miles from here. You know, the one with the broken windows.” I instantly recognized it. Many of the slave sung songs referring to it. In those song, they spoke of a “drinking gourd” or the north star. In this case, the abandoned house was the “haunted house”. "Yeah. I remember.” “Are you going to be able to handle it?” she asked me as I sat up, to get my clothes on. My dress was made of old cloth, and had holes on the shoulders and near the seams. “I have too. I can’t handle any more of this.” I motioned to the open wound on my back. I lifted my dress above my head and slid it down. When the fabric presses against my cuts, my eyes instantly formed tears, but I do not let them fall. I will not let them fall. “Let’s go.” Harriett says. “Since we’re up we might as get our food and start early. Better not give them anything to be suspicious about.” As we walked over to the pig trough, I gave Harriett a good look. She was beautiful, inside and out. She was tall, graceful, and knew what to say, and when to say it. She was the person I aim to be. She had a slight bump that was her stomach. She was expecting, she had told me. I predict a baby girl, with her mother’s green eyes, but she feels like it’s was going to be a boy. She doesn’t want her baby to be born into slavery, and will do anything to prevent it. And because Harriett is who she is, I will put my life on the line to make that happen for her, she deserves it.
We reach down into the trough where the overseers put the food, and pick up two piece of stale bread each, which we get every morning. I hand her my second piece, but she just curls my fingers over it. “You need it, sweetheart. We need you as strong as you can be tonight.” she whispers the last part. Since she told me about her pregnancy, I had been giving her half of my food. After all, she is eating for two. “You might want to save a bit for later too.” she adds. We walk away from the trough, and head towards the fields. We aren’t allowed to work together, so I won’t see her for several hours. We stop before we have to part ways. “ Tonight, we follow the drinking gourd, and find hope in the haunted house.” she sings to me in an angelic voice. She gives me a quick hug and turns to walk away. I wave at her back even though I know she cannot see me. I pick up my basket and start picking at the cotton bolls. I know I cannot sit in fear of a repeat of yesterday. I pick for a few hours before finally coming in hearing distance of another slave. “Tonight, we follow the drinking gourd, and find hope in the haunted house.” I sing. My voice quivers with exhaustion. Alexander, the other slave, nods at me, then smiles. I feel my cheeks heat up. Alexander was another slave my age, and I had seen him several times working in the fields, but never had we really spoken. He repeats the tune, and I hear the wonderful tone of his voice. It’s softness, almost as great as Harriett’s. I quickly flash him a smile, and continue down my aisle of cotton before Mr. Jones could accuse me of being off task. After a few more hours, and the sun is high in the sky, I hear a distinct sound of a bell, telling me it’s time for a food break. I walk back to the trough, and pick up two more piece of stale, which is this time soaked in sour milk. I eat greedily and get back to work.
By the time the sun is out of the sky, and a crescent moon is overhead, again the bell rings, to announce to end of the work day. The lump of bread in my pocket it tempting, but I know I might need it later in the night. My feet are soar with red blisters and are sensitive to the touch. I walked gingerly back to the quarters and happen to cross paths with Sophia, one of the elderly women who lived in the same quarters. “Tonight, we follow the drinking gourd, and find hope in the haunted house.” I sing to her slowly, clearly, and loud. A few years before I had arrived at the plantation, she had been caught eavesdropping on Master Covington, and was punished. They had cut off one of her ears, and poured salt onto it. It had become infected and she was nearly deaf. She looked at me in confusion, and I repeated my hymn. She then nodded at me and handed me a piece of fat. “No, it’s okay, you can keep it.” I respond to her. “You a growing girl, take it.” Sophia says with a strictness that you can only obey. I thank her and help her walk back to the quarters. I plan to give half of the fat to Harriett, and save the other for later.
We reach home and begin to prepare for the night. Harriett, comes toward my bed and whispers to me, “I will wake up when we are going. Go to sleep.” I was planning on staying awake, but knowing Harriett, she was two steps ahead of me, preparing me for the night. I was too tired to protest, knowing I needed the sleep. I undressed and lay on my stomach. Harriett, softly took off the piece of cloth, stiff with dried blood, that she had bandaged my back with. She quickly left then returned, with the same cloth slightly damped and cleaner, and retied to so it stuck to by back snugly. “Thank you.” I say with tears in my eyes, and a sob in my throat. What have I done to deserve the care and love from someone like her? I quickly blink away my tears and swallow my sob. I will never let anyone see me cry. “Goodnight.” she replies, and then she kisses my cheek before walking over to her bed on the opposite wall. I start up onto the ceiling, and let sleep come to me.
“It’s time.” I wake up to the voice of Harriett, and I sit up immediately. I don’t say anything but glance at Harriett, then put on my dress. I stand up and follow her. I as I walk toward the door, I see a few others getting reading for the travels ahead, but one I don’t see is Sophia. She was just sitting against the wall watching the few others prepare. “Harriett, wait one second.” I say. She looks at me then nods. I jog over to Sophia. “Aren’t you going?” I ask. She looks at me with a smile on her face. “No child. I am an old lady, and will probably die soon anyway. I just want to enjoy the rest of my days as long as I can. Don’t look sad, Penelope. I would just slow you guys down. We will see each other in the future, if not in this life, in heaven. Now, GO.” I look at her for a few seconds before giving her a tight hug, and whispering, “Goodbye,” in her ear. I back up slowly, before hurrying after Harriett through the door. We leave in pairs, stealthy through the shadows. Quickly, but silently, we duck underneath the gate, and run toward the nearest bushes, our black skin serving as camouflage. We run silently through the trees, and after a while, we see the abandoned house in view. There is a candle in the window, along with a quilt hung over the gate. We jump over the gate and quickly knock on the door three times. As it opens, I think, yes, we made it!
I look around and see many others in the small room. Gregory, and older slave, stands by the unlit fireplace, Rachel, sit on her mother, Georgia’s lap. Walter, her husband paces across the room in front of them. I smile as I see Alexander, standing in the corner, with his friend, Calvin, glancing at me. I am glad that he had decided to make the journey to the North. He deserves better than slavery. I look back at the new figure that open the door for us. It was a woman, who stood proud, and determined, and she was looking at Harriett and me. “I am Harriet Tubman. I am going to help you escape to the North. I am the “conductor” of this train.” She spoke with complete confidence, and I couldn’t help but trust her. Harriett spoke next. “I name is also Harriett and this is Penelope.” she motioned towards me. “We will do whatever we can to get to the Promise Land.” She smiles a wide smile and says, “Welcome.” We sat down, and waited for the other to arrive. I prayed that all that chose to come were safe. When we had waited long enough, and some others had arrived, Harriet Tubman explained our journey. “ We will travel through the trees, every once in a while changing direction or circling back around. This will help throw anyone who follows us of guard. For protection we will pair up. One man, one woman. Any children with be added to these group.” She then paired everyone up according to age and size. I was paired up with Alexander, while Harriett was paired up with Calvin. I was frightened to be separated from Harriett, but happy to be paired up with Alexander. “I will do everything to protect you, alright? Don’t worry, we’ll be free soon enough.” he told me with assurance. He then took my hand and held it in his big, callused one. We left immediately, and kept a several yards between each pair. We walked quickly through the trees, Alexander never letting go of my hand.
For a few days, the same routine happened. Alexander and I would walk all night, hand in hand, following the others. During the day, we would hide in a safe house, and sleep. We would then awake, and repeat. Food was scarce, but we were used to those situations. We had a few scares with Slave Catchers. They were huge white men, with blood hounds that would go out and look for slaves. They were mean, and ruthless, with a taste for terror. Master Covington, must have found out of our escape, and had them searching for us. There were close on our trails, and we were instructed to make more difficult loops and paths to get the Catchers and their hounds confused. We still tread on, and walked on, because freedom was almost in our grasp. Alexander and I had gotten to know each other better, having spent all of our days together. He was very protective, and wouldn’t let me out of his sight. He held me, when he heard a suspicious noise, putting himself between me and danger. When I would have nightmares, he would wake me up, and then sing me back into a dreamless sleep. His when I would worry about anything, from my family, to the dangers laying ahead, or the ones following us, he would just smile, and all my worries would fade. One night, we were silent, enjoying the wilderness of the beautiful forest around us. We slowed down and were at the back of the pack. There was a stream ahead, one that others in front of us were crossing and that we would have to. Harriet Tubman stood silently, herding everyone in the right direction. Our skin as slaves were so dark that in the night we were almost invisible. We was as black as the night. Squirrels and owls danced on the trees above, while deer graze on the forest grasses. The tree shot straight up, green, orange, yellow leaves, hanging off their branches, into the sky, where the north star sat, leading our way to freedom.
All of a sudden there was a cracking of leaves behind us. “It’s probably just a squirrel.” Alexander commented, for he had heard the noise too, but non the less, put himself between me and the sound. I screamed as saw what emerged from the darkness of the trees. A hound came bounding through, barking with an evil glint in it’s eye. Alexander looked at me and yell, “RUN!” We both sprinted through the trees, but it was enough. The large dog, bit Alexander on the leg as he hollered out in pain. Calvin, who was a few yards ahead of us turned and ran toward us to help. The vicious monster, took another bite at Alexander, attacking his chest. He screamed in agony, as his clothing turned red with blood. The hound, kept biting, cutting, piercing, killing Alexander. Calvin who had finally reach us, took out his pocket knife and attacked the dog, until he lay limp on the ground. Alexander looked at me with a weakness in his eyes, and whispered, “I loved you.” I felt tears well up in my eyes, and unlike the other times, I let them fall. I said desperately with a sob, “No, NO, your going to be fine. Your going to be free with me, and Calvin, and Harriett, and we’re going to get to the North, and your going to live a great life. Stay with me… Stay with me.” He smiled but I could see the life being pushed out of his eyes. He had lost to much blood already. I was sobbing, with all the tears that had been dammed up spilling over. I kissed him gently on the lips, and then he breathed, “Thank you.” His eyes faded closed and his chest stop rising. . I put my head on his chest, not caring whether his blood got on my clothes. By now, Harriett had reached us, and Calvin and she were watching the scene at hand, but I didn’t care. After a few minutes, Harriett, touched my shoulder. “We need to go, they will be catching up soon. Come on, honey.” I lifted my head, and glance at Alexander. I stood up, turned, and without looking back, I followed the drinking gourd. Followed it until I was safe, until I knew that Alexander would rest in peace knowing I was free.


The ending kind of sucked, but i needed to end it. It was too long already, and i was running out of time.} 

Secrets of My Hollywood: Family Affairs (#3)

Secrets of My Hollywood Life: Family Affairs (#3)
Jen Calonita


Hollywood secret number three:
Want to know how hot a star is? Count their monthly red carpet appearances. THe hotter the star, the fewer they make-that is, unless they have a movie or album to promote. WHen they're doing the publicity tour, all bets are off- a star may go to four events in one week just to gush about their incredible new project. Alexis is hitting the town to do just that. But if Alexis is still hogging the carpet nightly a month from now, that mean her star wattage is going nowhere. True A-list star don't have to go to an opening of an animal shelter or talk about their favorite lip gloss. They know the real way to keep in the public's good graces is to sit home on their $5000 couches and be as elusive as Johnny Depp.


The filming for sure-to-be blockbuster movie Pretty Young Assasins has wrapped up and teen movie star Kaitlin Burke returns to life on the set of the prime-time drama Family Affair. After ten seasons of filming the hit TV show, Kaitlin thought that she could see any curveballs coming but with a plotting new actress on set, all bets are off. The new diva, Alexis, makes even Kaitlin's long-time nemesis Sky seem like a puppy in comparison. Can Kaitlin keep her sane boyfriend, her insane job, and her composure in the face of this new star power?


With this series, I am surprising not bored with. Really surprised. When you think about the plot line in the beginning of the series, in book one, when you reallly think about it, it right out of Disney's Hannah Montana. Star who want to be normal and lives a double life. I mean yea, i wish authors were a little more creative, but i still like the series. Its not serious, and the characters are really likeable/hateable/relatable. 
Kaitlin Burke for example, even though she is a movie star in the book, i can relate to her in my life. When Alexis comes and tries to dominate everything, it reminds of the time where this one girl who made the high school volleyball team by begging and crying, tried to keep that act up, and talked all sweet to the coach to make sure she wasn't cut when second try outs came around. She was, and so was Alexis. Even wishes that they had a boyfriend like Austin. He, so far, has done everything right, always says the right thing, and with all guys in books, his looks are determined by our imagination(which is always best). Liz is the faithful best friend who would kick butt if needed. Sky is the girl you've always hated until you guys find something in common. That you both hate someone else.
I find this book really enjoyable, and finished really quickly. I planned to get the fourth addition, but i am going to wait till it goes to soft cover, so that next review will be waiting. (Hey, it's a tough economy!)
P.S. Sorry for not writing in so long. I just started high school, and had a lot on my plate, but the semester just ended, so i've decided to try to read more books i like alongside the ones i have to read for school. (You can't imagine how tall the stack of books in my room are that i haven't read.... at least 12 in it. I just keep buying books, I'm addicted. Oh well.) The only thing i sort of didn't like about this book was the cover, but you know what they say, you can't judge a book by its cover.